MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – The Norfolk State women's basketball team took its second loss of the season on Wednesday night, falling 74-43 to Minnesota.
 
Playing in her hometown of Minneapolis, Kierra Wheeler put on a terrific performance for her many friends and family in attendance, totaling 14 points and nine rebounds. She shot 7-of-11 from the floor, an efficient night against one of the Big 10's best defensive teams.
 
Niya Fields spread the ball around the floor effectively, tying her season-high with seven assists. Through eight games, the junior point guard is averaging 4.75 assists per contest.
 
The Golden Gophers (6-1) jumped out to a 12-4 lead early in the night, but Fields responded with a 3-pointer to keep Norfolk State (6-2) within striking distance. A pair of free throws from Da'Brya Clark prompted a 6-0 Spartan run, capped by a Da'naijah Wiliams fastbreak jumper.
 
The score pulled the Spartans within one, but Minnesota converted on the ensuing possession to go ahead by three. Off a Fields pass, Makoye Diawara drained a shot from behind the arc to tie the game 16-16.
 
Minnesota knocked down a 3-pointer to go into the second period with a three-point advantage. Norfolk State's 16 points were tied for the most Minnesota had given up in an opening quarter this season, with the Spartans shooting 6-of-15 (40.0 percent) in the first quarter.
 
The Golden Gophers scored an and-one jumper to start the second quarter, before knocking down a 3-pointer on the team's next possession. Wheeler slowed the run with a paint jumper, but back-to-back deep shots from Minnesota increased the lead to 13.
 
Minnesota ended the second quarter on a 9-0 run, going into the half with a 40-22 lead.
 
Grace Groholski, a freshman forward, continued to heat up offensively for the Golden Gophers in the second half, ending the night with a career-high 26 points. She shot 9-of-14 from the field, draining five 3-pointers.
 
The Spartans couldn't get to the line nearly as frequently as they had mustered in previous games this season, making five of their seven attempts on the night. It marked the least amount of free throws NSU had attempted in a game since shooting five free throws at Alabama on Dec. 18, 2022.
 
Checking The Box Score

• Norfolk State junior Kierra Wheeler led NSU with 14 points and nine rebounds
• Niya Fields tied her season high with seven assists
• Freshman Grace Grocholski led Minnesota with 26 points, knocking down five 3-pointers
• As a team, Minnesota shot 9-of-23 (39.1 percent) from behind the arc

News & Notes

• The loss marked Norfolk State's second of the 2023-24 season, dropping to 6-2 overall
• Minnesota improved to 6-1 on the season
• Wednesday marked the first-ever meeting between the Norfolk State and Minnesota women's basketball programs
• Norfolk State's 16 points were tied for the most Minnesota has given up in an opening period this season
• NSU shot seven free throws on Wednesday, its least amount of attempts in a game since shooting five free throws at Alabama on Dec. 18, 2022 

UP NEXT
 
Norfolk State remains in the Midwest, facing Chicago State (0-11) on Saturday, Dec. 2 at Jones Convocation Center. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.
 
For complete coverage of Norfolk State Athletics, please follow the Spartans on social media at @nsuspartans (Twitter), /NorfolkStateAthletics (Facebook), @NSUAthletics (Instagram), @nsuathletics (YouTube) or visit the official home of Norfolk State Athletics at nsuspartans.com.